Hello there, fellow entrepreneurs and innovators in the manufacturing world! If you’re running a small manufacturing business, you know the daily grind involves a delicate balance of production, inventory, sales, and finances. It’s a challenging but incredibly rewarding endeavor. As your business grows, the complexity often scales even faster, leading to inefficiencies, data silos, and missed opportunities. That’s where an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system comes into play, acting as the central nervous system for your operations. But not just any ERP will do; finding the right fit, especially for small manufacturing growth, requires a comprehensive ERP comparison for small manufacturing growth.
This isn’t just about finding software; it’s about investing in a strategic tool that will propel your business forward, streamline processes, and provide the insights you need to make smart, informed decisions. We’re going to embark on a journey together, exploring the landscape of ERP solutions tailored specifically for small manufacturers. We’ll look at what makes an ERP truly beneficial for your unique needs, how to compare the myriad options available, and ultimately, how to choose a system that will not only support your current operations but also scale with your ambitious growth plans. Get ready to transform your manufacturing business from the ground up!
What Exactly is ERP for Small Manufacturing and Why Does it Matter?
Let’s start with the basics. ERP, or Enterprise Resource Planning, at its core, is a suite of integrated software applications that manages and integrates all the core business processes of a company. Think about everything from finance and accounting, human resources, supply chain management, project management, customer relationship management (CRM), to manufacturing operations themselves. Traditionally, ERP systems were the domain of large enterprises, but over the last decade, their accessibility and affordability have significantly improved, making them a game-changer for small manufacturers.
For a small manufacturing firm, an ERP system isn’t just about digitizing processes; it’s about creating a unified, real-time view of your entire operation. Imagine having all your production schedules, inventory levels, sales orders, customer data, and financial records accessible from a single, centralized platform. This integration eliminates manual data entry, reduces errors, improves communication between departments, and most importantly, gives you an unprecedented level of control and insight into your business performance. Without this holistic view, small manufacturers often struggle with fragmented data, leading to suboptimal decision-making and hindering their potential for growth. An effective ERP acts as the backbone for sustainable expansion.
Unlocking Growth: Why Small Manufacturers Need ERP Solutions
The path to sustainable growth for any small manufacturing business is fraught with challenges, from managing raw materials to delivering finished products on time and within budget. Without a robust system in place, these challenges can quickly become roadblocks. This is precisely why small manufacturers increasingly turn to ERP solutions. An ERP system doesn’t just manage your current operations; it actively enables growth by fostering efficiency, providing critical data, and improving overall responsiveness.
Think about the time saved when your sales team can instantly check inventory levels and production schedules before committing to an order, or how much more accurate your financial forecasts become when linked directly to sales and procurement. Moreover, an ERP system allows small manufacturers to standardize their processes, ensuring consistency and quality even as the team expands. It empowers you to identify bottlenecks in production, optimize inventory to prevent stockouts or overstock, and analyze profitability down to the individual product level. This level of insight is invaluable for strategic planning and making the necessary adjustments to scale effectively. Ultimately, an ERP system transforms reactive management into proactive leadership, which is essential for thriving in a competitive market.
Addressing Common Challenges: Small Manufacturers Without Integrated Systems
Many small manufacturing businesses operate with a patchwork of disparate systems: spreadsheets for inventory, standalone accounting software, paper-based production logs, and separate CRM tools. While these individual tools might serve their specific purposes to some extent, their lack of integration creates significant operational hurdles. This fragmentation is a major challenge that often stifles growth before it even truly begins. Data duplication is rampant, errors are common, and cross-departmental communication becomes a slow and cumbersome process.
Imagine the scenario: a sales order comes in, but checking inventory requires someone to physically verify stock or cross-reference multiple spreadsheets. Then, if materials are needed, procurement has to manually create a purchase order, potentially overlooking existing stock or better vendor prices. Production scheduling becomes a guessing game based on outdated information, leading to delays and missed deadlines. Financial reporting, too, suffers from a lack of real-time data, making it difficult to assess true profitability or identify cash flow issues. These inefficiencies don’t just waste time; they lead to increased operational costs, frustrated customers, and a significant drain on management’s energy, diverting focus from strategic initiatives crucial for a growing business. An ERP aims to resolve these exact pain points by unifying operations.
Key Considerations When Choosing ERP for Small Manufacturing
Selecting the right ERP system for your small manufacturing business is not a decision to be taken lightly. It’s an investment that will impact every facet of your operations for years to come. Therefore, a careful evaluation based on several key considerations is absolutely vital. One of the primary factors is your budget, which encompasses not just the initial software cost but also implementation, training, and ongoing maintenance fees. While cost is important, it shouldn’t be the sole driver, as a cheaper system that doesn’t meet your needs can end up costing you more in the long run through inefficiencies and missed opportunities.
Another critical aspect is scalability. Your chosen ERP system must be able to grow with your business. What works for your current size might not be sufficient when you double your production capacity or expand into new markets. Look for systems that offer modularity, allowing you to add functionalities as your needs evolve, rather than being forced to rip and replace in a few years. Industry-specific needs are equally paramount; a generic ERP might not understand the intricacies of Bill of Materials (BOM) management, production scheduling, or quality control specific to manufacturing. Finally, consider the features offered: does it cover inventory, production, supply chain, CRM, and finance comprehensively? A thorough comprehensive ERP comparison for small manufacturing growth hinges on aligning these considerations with your strategic objectives.
Exploring Popular ERP Solutions Tailored for Small Manufacturing Businesses
The ERP market for small manufacturing is vibrant and diverse, offering a range of solutions that cater to different needs, budgets, and operational complexities. While large enterprises often opt for custom-built or highly specialized systems, small manufacturers benefit from more out-of-the-box, yet configurable, platforms. Among the frontrunners, you’ll often hear names like NetSuite, known for its cloud-first approach and comprehensive suite; SAP Business One, a powerful solution from an industry giant tailored for smaller entities; Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, offering deep integration with other Microsoft products; and Acumatica, a flexible cloud ERP that targets various industries including manufacturing.
Open-source options like Odoo also present a compelling case for businesses seeking customization and lower initial licensing costs. Each of these platforms brings its own strengths to the table. Some excel in specific manufacturing verticals, offering specialized modules for discrete, process, or mixed-mode manufacturing, while others focus on ease of use and rapid deployment. Understanding these distinctions is crucial during your comprehensive ERP comparison for small manufacturing growth. It’s not about finding the “best” ERP, but the “best fit” for your unique operational footprint, growth trajectory, and technological preferences. This initial overview sets the stage for a deeper dive into what each type of solution can offer.
Deep Dive: Leveraging Cloud-Based ERP for Flexibility and Growth in Manufacturing
Cloud-based ERP solutions have revolutionized how small manufacturers access and utilize powerful business software. Unlike traditional on-premise systems that require significant upfront investment in hardware, servers, and IT staff, cloud ERP operates entirely over the internet, accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. This model offers unparalleled flexibility and is often a cornerstone for driving growth in modern manufacturing environments. Solutions like NetSuite and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central are prime examples of cloud-native platforms that provide robust manufacturing capabilities.
The benefits for a small manufacturing business are numerous. Firstly, reduced IT overhead means you can reallocate capital and personnel to core manufacturing activities. Secondly, the flexibility of access empowers remote teams, multiple plant locations, or even managers checking production reports from a trade show. Thirdly, cloud providers handle all system maintenance, updates, and security, ensuring your software is always current and protected against cyber threats. This inherent scalability of cloud architecture means you can easily add users, modules, or expand storage as your business grows without major infrastructure changes. Furthermore, cloud ERP often facilitates quicker implementation timelines, getting your business up and running with integrated operations much faster. This agility is a significant advantage when you’re focusing on accelerating small manufacturing growth.
Deep Dive: Exploring Industry-Specific ERP Solutions for Tailored Manufacturing Needs
While general-purpose ERPs can be adapted, industry-specific ERP solutions are designed from the ground up to address the unique challenges and processes of particular manufacturing sectors. For a small manufacturer, opting for an industry-specific system can mean the difference between merely managing operations and truly optimizing them. Solutions like SAP Business One, which has a strong presence in various manufacturing segments, or Acumatica, with its robust manufacturing edition, offer functionalities that directly resonate with the shop floor.
These specialized systems often come pre-configured with industry best practices for Bill of Materials (BOM) management, production planning and scheduling, quality control, lot tracking, serial number tracking, and even compliance regulations specific to certain manufacturing industries (e.g., aerospace, medical devices, food and beverage). This means less customization during implementation, a faster return on investment, and a system that “speaks your language” from day one. Instead of trying to force a square peg into a round hole, an industry-specific ERP understands the nuances of discrete manufacturing, process manufacturing, or lean manufacturing methodologies. For small manufacturers looking to compete effectively and drive specialized growth, aligning with an ERP solution that intimately understands their industry is a powerful strategic move.
Deep Dive: The Allure of Open-Source ERP for Cost-Conscious Small Manufacturing Growth
For small manufacturing businesses keenly aware of budget constraints but unwilling to compromise on functionality, open-source ERP systems present a compelling alternative. Odoo is perhaps one of the most well-known and feature-rich open-source ERP platforms that caters to a wide range of business needs, including manufacturing. The “open-source” nature means the software’s source code is freely available, allowing businesses to customize, extend, and integrate it as they see fit, often without exorbitant licensing fees.
While there might still be costs associated with implementation, hosting, support, and specialized development, the core software often comes without recurring per-user licenses, which can significantly reduce the total cost of ownership over time, especially as your team grows. This flexibility makes open-source ERP particularly attractive for small manufacturers who might have very specific, niche requirements that commercial off-the-shelf solutions struggle to meet without heavy customization. The vibrant community surrounding many open-source projects also means a wealth of shared knowledge, add-ons, and peer support. However, it’s important to acknowledge that leveraging open-source ERP often requires a greater internal technical capability or reliance on third-party integrators with expertise in the specific platform. For businesses looking for maximum control and cost efficiency as part of their comprehensive ERP comparison for small manufacturing growth, open-source options like Odoo definitely warrant a closer look.
Evaluating Essential ERP Modules for Small Manufacturing Efficiency
When conducting a comprehensive ERP comparison for small manufacturing growth, it’s crucial to look beyond just the generic “ERP” label and delve into the specific modules that are absolutely essential for your operations. For a manufacturing business, certain functionalities are non-negotiable for achieving efficiency and supporting expansion. At the top of the list is a robust Inventory Management module, which tracks raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods, providing real-time visibility and preventing costly stockouts or overstock situations. This module is the cornerstone of efficient production.
Equally vital is a strong Production Planning and Scheduling module. This allows you to manage Bill of Materials (BOMs), create accurate production orders, schedule tasks, and track their progress on the shop floor. Without this, you’re constantly reacting instead of proactively managing your production pipeline. Financial Management and Accounting modules are, of course, critical for managing ledgers, accounts payable, accounts receivable, budgeting, and generating financial reports. Furthermore, a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) module integrated within the ERP ensures that sales, marketing, and customer service efforts are aligned with production and delivery, fostering better customer satisfaction and repeat business. Finally, a Supply Chain Management (SCM) module helps optimize procurement, vendor management, and logistics, ensuring you have the right materials at the right time. Each of these modules, when integrated, contributes to a seamless flow of information and operations.
Scalability and Future-Proofing: Ensuring Your ERP Investment Supports Long-Term Growth
Choosing an ERP system is not just about solving today’s problems; it’s about laying the groundwork for tomorrow’s success. For a small manufacturing business with ambitions for growth, scalability and future-proofing are paramount considerations. An ERP that barely meets your current needs will quickly become a bottleneck as your production scales, your product lines expand, or you enter new markets. Therefore, during your comprehensive ERP comparison for small manufacturing growth, it’s vital to assess how easily the system can adapt and grow with you.
Look for modular ERP systems that allow you to start with essential functionalities and add more sophisticated modules as your business matures, such as advanced planning and scheduling, quality management, or even product lifecycle management (PLM). Cloud-based ERP solutions inherently offer greater scalability in terms of user count, data storage, and processing power, as the vendor manages the underlying infrastructure. Additionally, consider the vendor’s roadmap: are they continuously investing in research and development? Do they have a track record of adapting to new technologies and industry trends? A future-proof ERP system should offer open APIs for seamless integration with other specialized software you might adopt later, ensuring your entire technology ecosystem remains flexible and connected. This foresight in your ERP selection will protect your investment and empower your business to navigate future challenges and opportunities with confidence.
Mastering Implementation: Strategic Approaches for Small Manufacturers
Even the most powerful ERP system won’t deliver its full potential without a well-planned and executed implementation. For small manufacturers, implementation can seem daunting, but with a strategic approach, it can be a smooth transition. One of the most effective strategies is a phased implementation, rather than trying to roll out all modules simultaneously. Starting with critical areas like inventory and production, and then gradually introducing finance, CRM, or advanced planning, allows your team to adapt incrementally, minimizes disruption, and builds confidence in the new system.
Change management is another crucial component. Your employees are the end-users, and their buy-in is essential. Involve key personnel from different departments in the selection process and provide thorough training tailored to their specific roles. Communicate transparently about the benefits of the new system and how it will simplify their daily tasks, rather than just adding more work. It’s also wise to engage with an experienced implementation partner, especially if you lack internal IT resources. They can provide expertise, guidance, and project management to ensure a successful deployment, helping you avoid common pitfalls. A well-executed implementation ensures that your comprehensive ERP comparison for small manufacturing growth culminates in a system that genuinely transforms your operations, rather than becoming a source of frustration.
Understanding the True Cost of Ownership: Beyond the ERP License Fee
When you’re undertaking a comprehensive ERP comparison for small manufacturing growth, it’s easy to focus solely on the initial software licensing or subscription fees. However, this is only one piece of the financial puzzle. The true cost of ownership (TCO) for an ERP system extends far beyond the license and includes a range of other significant expenses that small manufacturers must account for. Overlooking these can lead to budget overruns and an incomplete financial picture.
Firstly, there are implementation costs, which can often be substantial. These include fees for consulting, data migration from old systems, configuration, and custom development to tailor the ERP to your unique processes. Secondly, training costs are essential for ensuring your team can effectively use the new system, from end-users on the shop floor to management in the office. Thirdly, ongoing maintenance and support fees, especially for on-premise solutions, can include hardware upgrades, software patches, and dedicated IT personnel. Even with cloud ERP, you’ll have monthly or annual subscription fees and potentially costs for additional storage or premium support. Lastly, don’t forget the indirect costs of downtime during implementation or the productivity dip as your team learns the new system. A holistic view of TCO is crucial for making a financially sound decision and ensuring your ERP investment truly contributes to growth without unexpected drains on your capital.
Seamless Integration: Connecting ERP with Existing Manufacturing Systems
In today’s interconnected business landscape, an ERP system rarely operates in isolation. For small manufacturing businesses, the ability to seamlessly integrate with existing systems and specialized software is a critical factor in maximizing efficiency and data flow. This integration capability should be a significant point of evaluation during your comprehensive ERP comparison for small manufacturing growth. Your manufacturing operations likely rely on various tools, from Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software for product development to Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems, e-commerce platforms for online sales, or even specialized IoT devices on the shop floor.
A well-chosen ERP should offer open Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) or pre-built connectors that facilitate easy data exchange with these other systems. Imagine a scenario where a design change in your CAD system automatically updates the Bill of Materials in your ERP’s production module, or where an online sales order from your e-commerce site instantly triggers a production request or inventory allocation. This level of integration eliminates manual data entry between systems, reduces errors, and ensures that all departments are working with the most current information. It streamlines the entire product lifecycle, from design to delivery, and creates a truly unified digital thread throughout your manufacturing process. Without robust integration capabilities, your ERP could become another data silo, undermining its potential value and hindering true operational synergy.
Data Analytics and Reporting: Powering Informed Growth Decisions for Small Manufacturers
The true power of a comprehensive ERP system, especially for driving small manufacturing growth, lies not just in its ability to manage processes, but in its capacity to generate actionable insights from your operational data. Without an integrated system, data often remains scattered across spreadsheets and disparate databases, making it incredibly difficult to analyze trends, identify inefficiencies, or predict future outcomes accurately. An ERP consolidates all this data into a single source of truth, making advanced analytics and reporting not just possible, but easily accessible.
Imagine being able to generate real-time reports on production costs per unit, monitor inventory turnover rates, track sales performance by product line, or analyze the profitability of individual customer segments. An ERP system typically includes built-in reporting tools and dashboards that provide a visual summary of key performance indicators (KPIs), allowing you to quickly grasp the pulse of your business. Furthermore, many modern ERPs offer advanced analytics capabilities, including predictive analytics, which can help you forecast demand, optimize production schedules, and make more informed decisions about capital investments. This data-driven approach transforms reactive decision-making into proactive strategic planning, providing small manufacturers with a competitive edge and a clear pathway for sustained, intelligent growth.
The Importance of Vendor Support and Community for Small Manufacturing ERP Success
Beyond the features and functionalities, the level of vendor support and the vibrancy of its user community are crucial, often overlooked, factors when conducting a comprehensive ERP comparison for small manufacturing growth. For a small business, you likely don’t have an extensive internal IT department dedicated to ERP management. Therefore, reliable and responsive support from your ERP vendor is absolutely paramount. When you encounter an issue, need clarification, or want to explore a new feature, knowing that expert help is readily available can save you immense frustration, downtime, and potential operational losses.
Evaluate the types of support offered: phone, email, chat, online knowledge bases, and dedicated account managers. Also, consider the vendor’s reputation for customer service and their responsiveness. Beyond direct vendor support, a strong user community can be an invaluable resource. This could include online forums, user groups, and annual conferences where you can connect with other businesses using the same ERP. These communities provide a platform for sharing best practices, troubleshooting common problems, discovering innovative uses of the software, and influencing future product development. For a small manufacturer, leveraging the collective experience of a broad user base can provide insights and solutions that might otherwise be costly or difficult to obtain, fostering a sense of shared growth and learning within your chosen ERP ecosystem.
Customization vs. Configuration: Finding the Right Balance for Your Manufacturing ERP
One of the nuanced yet critical aspects of selecting an ERP system for your small manufacturing business is understanding the difference between customization and configuration, and striking the right balance. This distinction plays a significant role in the long-term maintainability, upgradeability, and total cost of ownership of your ERP solution. Configuration refers to using the standard settings and parameters within the ERP system to adapt it to your specific business processes, without altering the core code. This might involve setting up workflows, defining user roles, creating custom fields, or designing reports using the built-in tools.
Customization, on the other hand, involves modifying the core source code of the ERP system to add unique functionalities not available out-of-the-box. While customization can provide a perfect fit for very specific requirements, it comes with significant drawbacks. Customized code can complicate future upgrades, potentially breaking existing functionalities or requiring expensive re-work with each new version release. It also typically increases implementation costs, maintenance expenses, and can make it harder to leverage vendor support. For most small manufacturers, aiming for a highly configurable ERP that minimizes the need for core code customization is often the wisest path. This approach allows you to tailor the system to your needs while keeping it agile, easier to maintain, and future-proof as part of your comprehensive ERP comparison for small manufacturing growth.
The Role of Mobile Access in Modern Manufacturing Management
In today’s fast-paced business environment, mobility is no longer a luxury but a necessity, and this holds especially true for small manufacturing operations. The ability to access critical ERP data and functionalities on the go can significantly enhance efficiency, responsiveness, and decision-making for busy manufacturers. Therefore, when conducting your comprehensive ERP comparison for small manufacturing growth, evaluating the mobile capabilities of each system is an essential step.
Imagine your production manager being able to check the status of a production order, view inventory levels, or approve a purchase request directly from their tablet on the shop floor, or even from a remote site visit. Sales representatives could access real-time customer data, order history, and product availability directly from their smartphones while meeting with clients. Mobile access transforms the way information is consumed and acted upon, breaking down the traditional barriers of desk-bound operations. Modern ERP systems offer dedicated mobile apps or responsive web interfaces that provide secure access to key functionalities, dashboards, and reports. This not only streamlines workflows but also empowers your team with real-time data, enabling quicker responses to emergent issues and fostering a more agile and efficient manufacturing environment, ultimately contributing to sustained growth and competitiveness.
Security and Compliance Considerations for Manufacturing ERP Systems
In an increasingly digital world, the security of your business data and adherence to industry compliance standards are paramount concerns, especially when evaluating ERP solutions for your small manufacturing business. A data breach can have devastating financial and reputational consequences, while non-compliance can lead to hefty fines and legal issues. Therefore, a thorough comprehensive ERP comparison for small manufacturing growth must include a rigorous assessment of each vendor’s security protocols and compliance certifications.
For cloud-based ERP systems, inquire about the vendor’s data center security, encryption methods (both in transit and at rest), disaster recovery plans, and adherence to international security standards like ISO 27001. Understand their policies on data ownership and privacy. For on-premise solutions, you’ll need to shoulder more of the security burden internally, requiring robust firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and regular security audits. Beyond general data security, consider any industry-specific compliance requirements that your manufacturing business must meet, such as FDA regulations for medical devices, HACCP for food production, or ITAR for defense manufacturing. Does the ERP system offer features to facilitate traceability, quality control documentation, audit trails, and reporting that help you meet these regulatory obligations? Choosing an ERP that prioritizes robust security and compliance ensures the integrity of your operations and protects your business from potential risks as you grow.
Making Your Final Decision: A Step-by-Step Guide for ERP Selection
After undertaking a thorough comprehensive ERP comparison for small manufacturing growth, the final decision-making process can still feel overwhelming. To simplify this crucial step, approach it methodically. First, revisit your initial requirements and priorities. Did the ERP systems you evaluated meet your core needs for inventory, production, finance, and scalability? Rank them against your most critical “must-have” features and “nice-to-have” functionalities.
Next, engage in demonstrations and pilot programs. Don’t just rely on sales presentations; ask for specific scenarios relevant to your business to be demonstrated. If possible, participate in a pilot project or a trial period to get hands-on experience with the system in a real-world context. This can uncover usability issues or reveal unexpected benefits. Gather feedback from all key stakeholders who participated in the evaluation process, from the shop floor supervisors to the finance team. Consider the total cost of ownership over a 3-5 year period, factoring in not just licenses but also implementation, support, and potential customization. Finally, don’t overlook the vendor relationship. Choose a partner that understands your business, offers strong support, and has a vision that aligns with your long-term growth objectives. By systematically evaluating these factors, you can confidently select an ERP system that will serve as a true catalyst for your small manufacturing business’s success.
The Transformative Power of ERP for Sustainable Manufacturing Growth
As we’ve journeyed through this comprehensive ERP comparison for small manufacturing growth, it should be clear that an ERP system is far more than just a piece of software. It’s a strategic asset, a foundational element for any small manufacturing business looking to not just survive, but truly thrive and expand in an increasingly competitive global market. The decision to implement an ERP represents a commitment to efficiency, data-driven decision-making, and proactive management across all facets of your operations.
By integrating disparate functions into a unified platform, an ERP eliminates inefficiencies, reduces errors, and provides real-time visibility into your entire business. It empowers you to optimize inventory, streamline production, enhance customer relationships, and make smarter financial choices. The scalability inherent in modern ERP solutions ensures that your investment continues to deliver value as your business evolves and grows, adapting to new product lines, increased demand, and expanding market reach. Ultimately, the right ERP system provides the intelligence, agility, and control necessary to navigate complexities, seize opportunities, and achieve sustainable growth. Don’t let fragmented data and manual processes hold your manufacturing business back any longer. Embrace the transformative power of an integrated ERP system and chart a course for unparalleled success and sustained profitability.
Charting Your Course: Taking the Next Steps in Your ERP Journey
You’ve explored the critical aspects of ERP, understood the benefits, delved into popular solutions, and considered key factors like cost, scalability, and security. Now, it’s time to translate this knowledge into action. Your journey toward selecting the ideal ERP for your small manufacturing business begins with a detailed self-assessment. What are your most pressing pain points? Where are the bottlenecks in your current processes? What are your growth projections for the next 3-5 years? Having clear answers to these questions will significantly narrow down your options and make the comprehensive ERP comparison for small manufacturing growth far more focused and effective.
Once you have a clear understanding of your internal needs, begin reaching out to vendors whose solutions align with your criteria. Request detailed demonstrations, ask for references from similar manufacturing businesses, and engage in open discussions about their implementation process and ongoing support. Remember, this is a partnership. Choose a vendor who not only offers a powerful solution but also understands your unique challenges and is committed to your long-term success. The investment in time and resources now will pay dividends for years to come, providing your small manufacturing business with the robust foundation it needs to not only grow but to truly excel and dominate its niche in the market. The future of your manufacturing operations is integrated, efficient, and growth-oriented – let ERP lead the way.